Skyrim is a veritable odyssey, unmatched in scope and vision. From discovering Dwemer cities through entrances hidden in the mountaintops, to learning Shouts from teachers atop a mountain, the Dragonborn's daily schedule is always full. But in order to defeat Alduin the World Eater, our hero needs the best equipment available.
With the best bows and battleaxes Septims can buy, all that's left is to don the Dragonborn in the best armour - particularly, heavy armour. Whether you'd rather take the time to craft them, or go on an adventure to fetch them, these sets are well worth it.
10 Chitin Heavy Armour
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Certainly an unconventionally designed set of armour, the Chitin Heavy Armour is hewn from the rock-hard plates of the Chaurus Reapers and Hunters. With a base armour attribute of 87, you'll need 17 Chitin Plates, 4 Corundum Ingots, and 5 pieces of Netch Leather.
There's an alternative if you can't be bothered to collect the materials to craft this armour set. You can pick it off of Reavers or buy a full set from Glover Mallory of Raven Rock. In addition, check out Ashfallow Citadel or Morvayn Manor for pieces of this set.
9 Falmer Heavy Armour
Unlike the Light Armour version, the Falmer Heavy Armour almost falls within the realm of sci-fi. With a frightening, eyeless helmet and sharpened edges, this set has a base armour attribute of 96 and is as badass as it looks.
Interestingly, you cannot craft the Falmer Heavy Armour. In order to obtain a full set, simply go to a Falmer- infested area, and loot it off of Falmer Warmongers or Shadowmasters.
8 Dwarven Armour
Probably the best starter heavy armour for the Dragonborn to don, the Dwarven Armour ensures you're both well protected and appear intimidating to your foes. Seemingly made out of gold, the full set can be crafted using 10 Dwarven metal ingots, 10 leather strips, 5 iron ingots, and 5 steel ingots.
If you're not too keen on visiting the smithy, you can actually find a full set of Dwarven Armour in a Dwemer Ruin called Nchuand-Zel in Markarth. With a base armour attribute of 104, a rogue arrow or sword thrust will glance off its hardened plates.
7 Blades Armour
If you're looking to don the same armour set as Delphine, then you should go along with her to Sky Haven Temple. With a base armour attribute of 114, the Blades Armour takes you back to the glory days of the Blades, when they were the defenders of the Septim Emperors.
Like the Falmer Heavy Armour, you can't forge the Blades Armour. Instead, a complete set can be taken from a chest in Sky Haven Temple. It's a decent set of armour which you can upgrade with Steel Ingots.
6 Nordic Carved Armour
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Despite having a base armour attribute slightly lesser than that of the Orcish Armour, the Nordic Carved Armour channels the bravery and sheer resilience of the Nords. The set seems fit for the biting cold of Skyrim, as well as the heat of battle.
With a base armour attribute of 119.5, you will need 5 Quicksilver Ingots, 4 Ebony Ingots, 21 Steel Ingots, and 10 Leather Strips for a full set. But if you're on the hunt for this armour, you can simply loot it off of a Bandit Chief or Marauder, or even from random chests across Skyrim.
5 Orcish Armour
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Belonging to the race known as the Orsimer in the Aldmeris tongue, the Orcish Armour truly reflects the strength and will of the Orcs. Although it appears to be hewn from Obsidian, a full set of Orcish Armour can be crafted using 14 Orichalcum Ingots, 5 Iron Ingots, and 10 Leather Strips.
If you want to get your hands on the set a bit quicker, you can get it at the Orc Stronghold of Largashbur near Riften. The stronghold is a part of the Daedric Quest for Malacath, and you can obtain the full set at an altar to the Daedric Prince.
4 Ebony Armour
A legendary set of armour known to all residents of Skyrim, this armour set appears as if it was made from the night sky itself. The Ebony Armour has a base armour attribute of 128, but it differs from the Ebony Mail obtained via the Daedric Quest, Boethiah's Calling. You can forge the entire set by with 17 Ebony Ingots and 10 Leather Strips.
Alternately, you can go find the Ebony Warrior and defeat him, thereafter pilfering the full set from his body. You can also find the Ebony Armour at Agni's Camp.
3 Stalhrim Armour
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Nicknamed 'enchanted ice' by Skyrim's denizens, Stalhrim makes for a truly magical armour set. Gleaming and glistening, you would think Stalhrim fell from the starry heavens. But in order to be able to craft this armour, you'll need to finish the 'A New Source of Stalhrim' questline.
Once that's done, the Stalhrim Armour can be crafted using 17 Stalhrim, 4 Quicksilver Ingots, and 9 Leather Strips. Alternately, you can buy it from Glover Mallory, Baldor Iron-Shaper at Skaal Village, or Halbarn Iron-Fur at Thirsk Mead Hall.
2 Dragonplate Armour
Of course, anything crafted with dragon scales is going to withstand the hardest of blows and dragon attacks. The Dragonplate Armour does just that, but you'll need to go dragon-hunting to gather the materials needed. With 13 Dragon Scales, 6 Dragon Bones, and 10 Leather Strips, this armour set will give you a base armour attribute of 136.
Stronger than the Dragonscale Armour, Dragonplate Armour can be upgraded using Dragon Bones. You can't find a full set of Dragonplate Armour in one location, so you'll have to hunt for individual pieces of the set, scattered in different, random locations.
1 Daedric Armour
One of the absolute best heavy armour sets in gaming, the Daedric Armour allows its wearer to exude an aura of pure badassery. With a 144 base armour attribute, a full Daedric Armour set requires 5 Daedric Hearts, 17 Ebony Ingots, and 10 Leather Strips.
As soon as you reach Level 49, this armour can now be found and looted from chests. You can even loot this armour from the corpses of Legendary dragons or purchase it from a Dremora Merchant. Donning the armour of the Gods, the Dragonborn can now fully assume their place as Skyrim's hero.